Abstract

Global displacement has reached unprecedented levels, exposing millions to heightened infectious disease risks 
driven by overcrowding, inadequate water and sanitation systems, disrupted health services, and fragile 
surveillance mechanisms. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiological dynamics of 
infectious diseases in displaced populations and evaluates priority interventions for control. Population movement, 
whether to camps, informal settlements, or urban areas, transforms disease transmission patterns through altered 
mobility, contact structures, and environmental exposures. Common threats include airborne, fecal-oral, vector
borne, and vaccine-preventable diseases, often amplified by limited healthcare capacity and surveillance gaps. The 
review highlights operational challenges in data collection, early warning systems, laboratory confirmation, and 
health workforce constraints. It examines the role of targeted public health interventions such as vaccination, 
WASH improvements, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, and integration with host health 
systems. Additionally, it explores the use of modelling tools and scenario planning to estimate disease spread and 
assess intervention impact under conditions of uncertainty. Ethical, equity, and resource-allocation considerations 
remain central to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons 
with disabilities. Persistent research gaps underscore the urgent need for improved surveillance systems, mobility
centred epidemiological models, and evidence-based policies that strengthen resilience in both displaced and host 
communities. By consolidating multidisciplinary insights, this review provides a comprehensive framework for 
anticipating infectious disease threats and guiding effective, context-sensitive responses in displacement settings.